Red-headed woodpeckers are medium-sized birds known for their striking plumage. The birds have mostly black bodies, white wing patches, and a bright red head and throat. They are found across much of the eastern United States and parts of Canada during the summer breeding season. Their winter range extends farther south into Texas, the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and parts of Central America.
Quick Answer
Yes, there are red-headed woodpeckers in Texas, especially during the winter months when many of the birds migrate south from more northern areas. They can be found year-round in some parts of Texas but are most abundant during winter.
Overview of Red-Headed Woodpeckers
The red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is one of the most recognizable and striking woodpeckers in North America. Here are some key facts about the birds:
- They are medium-sized woodpeckers, measuring 19-22 cm (7.5-8.5 inches) long with a wingspan of 33-39 cm (13-15.5 inches).
- Adults have bright red heads, necks, and throats. Their backs are mostly black with white patches on their wings and rumps.
- They have sturdy pointed bills for drilling into wood.
- They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, seeds, nuts, fruit, and sometimes small vertebrates.
- They nest in the cavities of dead trees, laying 3-5 eggs per clutch.
- Their habitat includes open woodlands, forest edges, orchards, parks, and wooded wetlands.
- They range across the eastern and central United States and southern Canada.
- They migrate south in winter to the southeastern states, Texas, Mexico, and Central America.
- They are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List but have declined in parts of their range.
Range and Distribution in Texas
In Texas, red-headed woodpeckers can be found across most of the state at least seasonally. Here are some details on their range in Texas:
- They occur year-round in eastern Texas, central Texas, and the Panhandle region.
- They are present only during winter in southern Texas and along the Gulf Coast.
- Breeding populations are found primarily in eastern and central Texas.
- During winter, their range extends south throughout central and southern Texas.
- They are considered fairly common to common in both summer and winter in most regions.
- Their habitat in Texas includes open woodlands, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, and areas with scattered tall trees.
Region | Summer | Winter |
---|---|---|
Eastern Texas | Common | Common |
Central Texas | Fairly Common | Common |
Panhandle | Uncommon | Fairly Common |
Southern Texas | Absent | Common |
Gulf Coast | Absent | Common |
The table above summarizes their general abundance and distribution in different regions of Texas in summer versus winter. As it shows, the birds are widespread across the state during winter but more restricted to eastern and central areas for breeding in summer.
Identification
The striking red head and throat make the red-headed woodpecker one of the easiest woodpeckers to identify. Here are some tips for recognizing them:
- Look for the bright solid red head and throat on adults.
- The body appears black from a distance but is actually glossy black above and white below with large white wing patches.
- Listen for their distinct rolling, rattling call.
- In flight, look for the large white wing patches contrasting with the mostly black body.
- Juveniles have a gray head gradually turning red by their first winter.
They are larger and more boldly patterned than the downy or hairy woodpeckers which also occur in Texas. The only woodpecker in their range with a bright red head is the acorn woodpecker of the far west so confusion with other species is unlikely.
Similar Species
The red-bellied woodpecker is the species most likely to be confused with red-headed woodpeckers in Texas:
- Red-bellied woodpeckers have a red nape and forehead but lack the solid red head and throat. They also lack the extensive white wing patches.
Behavior and Diet
Red-headed woodpeckers exhibit some interesting behaviors and feeding habits:
- They are adept flycatchers, swooping from perches to catch insects in flight.
- They eat lots of beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and other insects.
- They also eat many nuts, acorns, seeds, and berries.
- They sometimes stash food like acorns or corn in bark crevices or other caches.
- They may occasionally eat nestlings of other bird species.
- They are aggressive in defending territories, even attacking larger birds.
- They nest in dead tree cavities, often ones they excavated themselves.
Red-headed woodpeckers are very vocal with a wide range of vocalizations used for communication. Flight is alternating bursts of flapping and gliding on their rounded wings. They are bold birds, often perching prominently on bare branches and poles.
Breeding
During the breeding season, red-headed woodpeckers engage in the following typical activities in Texas:
- Form monogamous breeding pairs from April to July.
- Males establish nesting territories and attract a female.
- Both sexes excavate the nest cavity in a dead tree.
- Lay between 4-7 white eggs over several days.
- Incubate the eggs for 12-16 days until they hatch.
- Both parents feed the nestlings for about 3 weeks until fledging.
- Fledglings are dependent on the adults for several more weeks.
They may raise one or two broods per breeding season. Newly independent juveniles often disperse north in late summer before migrating south again for the winter.
Population and Conservation Status
Red-headed woodpeckers have experienced declines across significant portions of their breeding range, including regions of Texas. However, their populations are generally stable or even increasing in other areas. Here is a summary of their population and conservation status:
- Globally, they are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
- Their total global population is estimated at 1.5 million individuals.
- Populations declined by over 2% per year from 1966 to 2014 across their range according to Breeding Bird Survey data.
- Declines were most pronounced in the northeastern United States as well as in Texas.
- Possible reasons for declines include habitat loss and competition with introduced European starlings.
- But populations have increased recently in some areas such as the northern Great Plains.
- Loss of dead trees for nesting and woodland fragmentation remain ongoing threats.
More research is needed to fully understand the causes of their declining trends in parts of their range. Preserving mature open woodlands with plenty of dead snags for nesting will benefit red-headed woodpeckers.
Where to See Them in Texas
Here are some top places to spot red-headed woodpeckers in Texas:
- Caddo Lake State Park – diverse woodlands in eastern Texas.
- Daingerfield State Park – mature pine-oak forest in eastern Texas.
- Cedar Hill State Park – extensive hardwood forest near Dallas.
- Guadalupe River State Park – varied habitat along the Guadalupe River.
- Brazos Bend State Park – floodplain forest along the Brazos River.
- Choke Canyon State Park – varied habitat with oak woodlands.
They can also be found in many other parks, natural areas, golf courses, and suburban neighborhoods with mature trees in eastern and central Texas.
Best Time to See Them
The best time to see red-headed woodpeckers in Texas depends on the region:
- Eastern Texas – present year-round and easiest to spot while breeding April to July.
- Central Texas – also present year-round but most abundant October to March.
- Southern Texas – winter is the best viewing time from October to March when their numbers increase.
- Rare year-round on the Gulf Coast, best chance is November to February during peak winter.
Overall, winter is the optimal viewing season across most of Texas when their population is highest. But locating active nests from May to July can provide great sightings of adults feeding young.
Conclusion
In conclusion, red-headed woodpeckers are indeed found across much of Texas, especially during winter and in eastern portions of the state. Their unique appearance makes them a prized sighting for birders. While populations have declined in some areas, they remain fairly common and widespread across their range in Texas. Preserving mature open woodland habitats will give bird enthusiasts the best chance of spotting these striking birds into the future.